Page 144 of Mistaken Magic

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Theweekend became a flurry of activity.Halfthe students were going home for the winter holidays.Iwould've saidChristmas, but most fae, it seemed, didn't actually celebrate that.Theseasons were their holidays, not remembrances of human events.Butpacking meant finding the things they'd loaned out, stuff they'd need, and a general panic had spread across my entire floor.

Iwasn't immune.Somany little things were starting to build up.Mostof them were good, but that didn't exactly help.Therewas this nagging thought in the back of my head, andIcouldn't quite shake it.Aspenwasn't any better, although most of her anxiety was caused by people yelling up and down the hall in voices just a bit too shrill.

Shedealt with it by callingWilderover and taking her plants down to the atrium.There, she intended to plant them.I'dbeen invited to join her, but there was something elseIhad to do.Makingan excuse was easy, and the trustAspengave me was wonderful.Shejoked about me going to seeKeir, butIassured her that wasn't it.Allweek long,I'dbeen worried about getting kicked out, so nowIhad questions, and only one person could answer them.

Saturdayevening,Iheaded over to the boys' side and rode the elevator up to the fourth floor.Notto see the guys from the court, though.Iturned the opposite way and tapped on the floor chaperone's door.Fora little too long,Istood there shuffling anxiously, hoping this wasn't going to be a big mistake.

ThenIheard the door unlock and the latch released.Itcracked open, andLiamquickly pulled it wide once he recognized me. "Hi,Rain.Comein."

"Hey,"Isaid, stepping through.

Jackwobbled on my shoulder, but he was starting to get pretty good at riding along with me.Liamglanced at the bird and seemed to accept he'd become my constant companion.Butas he gestured for me to head into the living room, he did a double take.

"Where'dyou get the ring?" he asked.

I'dcompletely forgotten about the stupid thing.Itwouldn't come off, it wasn't uncomfortable, and it hadn't caused any problems, so it had just become kinda normal.

"Um,Jackfound it,"Iadmitted, turning the corner to findBrackensprawled across the couch.

Hehad a remote in his hand, his eyes on theTV, and he did not have on a shirt.Iquickly glanced away, butJacklaughed in his own avian way.Brackenglanced over and hopped up, heading for the other room.Talkabout awkward!

"Sorry,"Imumbled.

"Brack, you're fine,"Liamtold him.

"I'mstill going to put on a shirt,"Brackensaid. "JustgladIwasn't scratching my balls or something.Notthe best impression from her teacher."Hegrabbed a shirt from the back of a chair and came back, smiling at me like he hopedIgot the joke.

"Well,Iactually didn't come to talk to a teacher,"Iadmitted, turning toLiam. "I, uh, kinda needed my caseworker."

"Yep, let me put that hat on."Liampantomimed changing imaginary hats. "Ok.WhatcanIdo for you,Lorraine?"

Istuck my tongue out at him. "CanI..."Igestured at a chair.

"Sit," he agreed, moving over to the spot beside whereBrackenhad been. "Isthis a private matter?Brackencan go watch hisK-drama in the bedroom."

"It'snot a problem,"Brackenassured me.

"No, it's actually about something you said,"Itold him asItook the chair.Jackquickly shifted to cling to the back, which allowed me to get even more comfortable. "See, everyone's packing to go home.Iknow you saidIcould stay here for the winter, butI'mguessing theSparksare still my foster parents?"

"Theyare,"Liamadmitted. "Everymonth, the state gives them a check for your care.They'reusing it to feed the others a little better, soIdon't see a problem with it, but there's no reason for you to stay there over the winter break."

Inodded. "Whatabout over the summer?CanIstay here?Imean, summer school or something?Withall these fosters,Iwas just hoping there might be some programs..."

Liamsighed. "Rain, it's two months."

"Oneweek was enough to have them lock me in my room!"Iinsisted. "MaybeIcould just stay with you?Idon't mind sleeping on the couch, andIpromiseIwon't hear anything."

Brackensnorted, having to turn away. "Wheredid you find her again?"Hekept going, into their kitchen.

"Johnwas adamant she was possessed,"Liamsaid, leaning back. "Babe, come sit down.I'mnot yelling across the house at you."

"Drinks,"Brackenexplained, andIheard the clanking of bottles.Amoment later, he returned with a soda for me and a pair of beers in his other hand. "I'mgoing to guess you're not about to tell anyone we were drinking in front of students?" he teased.

"Never,"Ipromised. "Justremember this whenIneed some secret of my own covered."

"LikeAspen?"Brackenasked.

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